Housing arrangement for an apparatus transforming rotary speed into electric signals

ABSTRACT

The housing of an apparatus transforming the rotary speed of the motor shaft of a motorcar into electric signals is constructed divisible and shaped to permit easy attachment to the gear casing of the motorcar. A housing envelopes an adapter transmission and an electromechanical transducer, and has a tapered end formed by converging walls tangential to a connector tube projecting from the housing. The tapered housing end fits into a confined space on a transmission casing when the connector tube is attached to an other connecting tube projecting from the transmission casing so that a coupling in the connector tube connects the transmission in the casing with the adapter transmission in the housing.

United States Patent Rahn [54] HOUSING ARRANGEIVIENT FOR AN APPARATUSTRANSFORMING ROTARY SPEED INTO ELECTRIC SIGNALS [72] Inventor:

[73] Assignee:

Horst Rahn, Villingen, Germany Kienzle Apparate GmbH, gen/Scharz'wald,Germany 22 Filed: April 6, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 131,739

Villin- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data April 7, 1970 Germany ..G70 12 543.8

[52] U.S.Cl ..3l0/89,310/71 [51] Int. Cl. ..H02k 5/00 [58] FieldofSearch.... ..310/89,91,85,88, 96, 99,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,328,614 6/1967 Falge..3l0/168 51 July 25,1972

Primary Examiner-.l. D. Miller Assistant Examiner-R. SkudyAttorney-Michael S. Striker [5 ABSTRACT The housing of an apparatustransforming the rotary speed of the motor shaft of a motorcar intoelectric signals is constructed divisible and shaped to permit easyattachment to the gear casing of the motorcar.

A housing envelopes an adapter transmission and an electromechanicaltransducer, and has a tapered end formed by converging walls tangentialto a connector tube projecting from the housing. The tapered housing endfits into a confined space on a transmission casing when the connectortube is attached to an other connecting tube projecting from thetransmission casing so that a coupling in the connector tube connectsthe transmission in the casing with the adapter transmission in thehousing.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures HOUSING ARRANGEMENT FOR AN APPARATUSTRANSFORMING ROTARY SPEED INTO ELECTRIC SIGNALS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a transmitter for deviceswhich measure distance travelled, and speed of a motorcar. Apparatus ofthis type includes a transmission for adapting the rotary speed of themotor shaft to the respective measuring device which indicates thetravelled distance, and an electromechanical transducer for generatingan electric signal proportional to the rotary speed of the motor shaft.

Speedometers and odometers are usually combined in a single measuringdevice, and indicate or record the travelled distance and the varyingspeed of a motorcar. In taximeters, which indicate the fare depending onthe travelled distance, it is also required to supply the number ofrevolutions of a wheel of a car to measuring and indicating devices. Thedrive of the measuring devices is taken from the output shaft of thetransmission of the motorcar, and transmitted by a flexible shaft. Thenumber of revolutions per minute of the wheel of the car, is differentaccording to the type of vehicle, so that it is impossible to determinethe transmission ratios in the measuring devices in accordance with thetypes of motorcars in which they are used, particularly since the numberof revolutions depends on the tire of the wheel. It is thereforeconventional, to determine a constant factor, for example one revolutionper meter as rotary input speed, and to adapt the rotary speed which isto be measured by means of an adapter transmission to the respectiveconstant factor.

The same is true for measuring and counting apparatus in which themeasured value is represented by an electric signal, which is thepreferred construction since flexible shafts cause considerabledifficulties at low temperatures, and when a tight curvature isrequired.

In electric measuring devices it is also necessary to adapt the impulsesgenerated by the transmitter per distance unit, to a constant of theapparatus, in order to avoid the construction of a very great number ofdifferent measuring devices. This means that the electromechanicaltransducer which serves the purpose to transform the rotary speed of apart of the car into a sequence of pulses proportional to the rotaryspeed, must be used together with an adapter transmission whosetransmission ratio can easily be varied for adapting theelectromechanical transducer to different types of vehicles.

In order to adjust the adapter transmission, to service the same, or toexchange a damaged part, it must be assured that the housing of thetransducer and adapter transmission will be easily accessible whenattached to the gear casing of the motorcar. Particularly, easy accessto the adapter transmission is necessary, and it is desirable that thehousing of the transmitter apparatus need not be detached from the motorcasing or gear casing to which it is normally secured.

However, in apparatus of the prior art access to, or detachment of thehousing of the transmitter apparatus is very difficult, and in manycases intermediate connecting pieces between the transmitter housing andthe gear casing has to be provided.

In some cases additional supports, and an intermediate shaft forconnecting the transmitter apparatus with the motor shaft of the car arerequired by the prior art. An awkward structure results which projectsundesirably from the gear casing of the motorcar.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to provide ahousing for a transmitter apparatus, including an adapter transmissionand an electromechanical transducer, which can be directly attached tothe gear casing of a vehicle, and which permits free access forservicing and for adjustment of the transmission ratio of the adaptertransmission.

In accordance with the invention, the housing has two parts, whose planeof division substantially coincides with the plane in which the adaptertransmission is located. The end walls of the housing are parallel, andat least one of the end walls has a threaded connector tube, whose axisis preferably perpendicular to the plane of division, while portions ofthe lateral walls of the housing are located in tangential planestangential to an imaginary extension of the connector tube into thehousing.

' One embodiment of the invention comprises a supporting casing, such asa gear casing of a motorcar, a shaft rotatably mounted in the casing;and a housing including first and second housing parts abutting eachother in a dividing plane, and having first and second end wallssubstantially parallel with the dividing plane.

The first housing part has a connector tube projecting from the firstend wall for attachment to the supporting casing, and at least the firsthousing part has an endless lateral wall adjacent the first end wall andhaving wall portions disposed in planes tangential to the connectortube. In this manner, attachment of the housing to the gear casing isfacilitated.

An adapter transmission, whose ratio can be adjusted, is located in thecavity, and is driven through a coupling means in the connector tubewhich is coupled with the shaft. An electromechanical transducer islocated in the cavity and is driven by the transmission to generateelectric signals representing the rotary speed of the shaft at a ratiodepending on the adapter transmission.

In one embodiment, the housing has an intermediate partitioning wallforming first and second cavities with the first and second housingparts. The electromechanical transducer, and the adapter transmissionare both mounted on the partitioning wall and respectively located inthe first and second cavities on opposite sides of the partitioningwall.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a fragmentary viewillustrating the gear casing of a motorcar to which the apparatus of theinvention may be attached;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3a is a detailed fragmentary view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating another embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, a housing part beingomitted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, thegear casing of a truck has an output flange I, and a threaded connectortube 2 near the output 1 and projecting from the gear casing. Anapparatus 100, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3,is attached to the connector tube 2 by a connector portion 11, and islocated in the confined space between the output flange I and the frontwall 3 of the gear casing. In some constructions, the connector tube 2is not only obstructed by the front wall 3, but also by other parts ofthe gear casing, which makes the mounting of transmitter housingsaccording to the prior art difficult without the use of intermediateangular mounting members.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a housing according to the invention including afirst housing part 4 and a second housing part 5, constructed as a flatlid, the housing parts 4 and 5 abutting in a dividing plane 6.

The end walls 7 and 8 are bounded by endless lateral walls 9 and 10,respectively, and a threaded connector tube 11 proand can be threadedlyconnected, so that the apparatus 100 is detachably attached to the gearcasing by means of a nut 11a shown in FIG. 3a.

Particularly FIG. 3 shows that portions of the lateral endless wall 9converge and extend tangentially to the tubular connector 11 so that therespective end portion of the housing is tapered, and takes up verylittle space beyond the diameter of the connector tube 11 so thatsufficient space is available in the confined space formed by the gearcasing for the mounting of the apparatus 100.

Housing part 4, and more particularly a portion of the lateral endlesswall 9 at the other housing end portion, is provided with anothertubular connector 12, which is either provided with a thread, or with abayonet joint, and which is constructed to serve as an electric couplingto which a cable may be attached for transmitting electric signalsgenerated in the housing to measuring and indicating devices.

A modification of the housings shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is possible inwhich the lid is constructed with a rim which overlaps the rim ofhousing part 4, so that 'a labyrinth seal is formed which protects theinterior of the housing from splashed water.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Therim of the housing part 13 abuts a corresponding rim of a housing part15 along a dividing plane. Housing part 13 has an end wall from which aconnecting tube 14 projects in which a coupling means 24 is located in aposition for being coupled with a shaft in the gear casing shown inFIG. 1. The respective housing end portion tapers as described withreference to FIG. 3, to fit into the confined space at the transmissioncasing 3. The end wall of the other housing part 15, which forms thecover, has another connector tube 16 in which a plug member 39 islocated for establishing electric connections. Three screws 17, of whichonly one is shown in FIG. 4 secure the housing parts 13 and 15 to eachother.

An intermediate partitioning wall 18 located substantially in thedividing plane between the cavities in housing parts 13 and 15, supportsthe adapter transmission 21 in the cavity of the housing part 15, andthe electromechanical transducer 22 in the cavity of the housing part13.

Adapter transmission 21 is driven by a shaft 23 which has couplingmember 24 at one end, and the gear 25 at the other end. Shaft 23 ismounted in a bearing 26 secured to partitioning wall 18, and is centeredby a tubular inner projection 27 of the end wall of housing part 13.

The input gear 25 of the adapter transmission 21, meshes with a gear 28which is mounted on a shaft 30 together with another gear 29. Gear 29meshes with a gear 31 which is secured to a shaft 33 rotatably mountedin a bearing bushing 32 which is secured to partitioning wall 18. Shaft33 further carries a fixed disc 34 with a toothed periphery whoseperipheral portion projects into a slot 35 in an insulating body 36secured to the partitioning wall 18. Insulating body 36 containsoscillator coils, not shown, which cooperate with the toothed disc 34. Amounting plate 37 which is secured by a pin 38 to the partitioning wall18 carries the other electrical components of the electrical mechanicaltransducer 22. The pulses produced in the oscillator coils, not shown,are supplied by the plug member 39 to electric measuring means, notshown, which indicate the respective travelled distance, or the rotaryspeed of the shaft of the motorcar. One end of shaft 30 is free, and issupported for rotation by a bearing plate 40 which is urged by a leavespring secured thereto against the pins 42, 43 and 44 when the housingpart 15 is attached to the housing part 13. When housing part 15 isremoved, the gear on shaft 30 can be exchanged for varying thetransmission ratio.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 has the advantage that, when anadjustment of the transmission ratio of the adapter transmission 21 isnecessary, the electrical parts of the electromechanical transducer 22are protected by the partitioning wall, while the adapter transmission21 is exposed. Consequently, the electrical component cannot be damagedor soiled by lubricating substances, and due to the provision of theloosely mounted bearing member 40, only a limited use of tools isnecessary.

It will be understood that each of the elements described I above, ortwo or more together, may also find a useful application in other typesof housing arrangements for apparatus transforming rotary speeds intoelectric signals differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as v I I embodiedin a housing divided into a first cavity containing electric components,and a second cavity containing an adapter transmission, it is notintended to be limited to the I Without further analysis, the foregoingwill so fully reveal. I

the gist of the present invention that others can by applying currentknowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omittingfeatures that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constituteessential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of thisinvention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Let-', I,

ters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. lclaim: I 1. Mountingarrangement for an apparatus transforming rotary speed into electricsignals, comprising a supporting casing having wall means forming aconfined space and including a first connector tube in said confinedspace; transmission means including an output shaft and being mounted insaid casing for driving said output shaft at varying speeds; a housinghaving a housing end portion including a second connector tubeperpendicularly projecting from said housing and being detachablyconnected with said first connector tube for supporting at least saidhousing end portion in said confined space, said housing end portionconverging toward the respective end of said housing and including twolateral converging wall portions disposed in planes tangential to saidsecond connector tube on opposite sides of said second connector tube,and a curved wall end portion substantially matching the contour of saidsecond connector tube and connecting said lateral converging wallportions with each other, said housing including a third connector tube;and an adapter transmission in said housing including an input shafthaving coupling means located in said second connector tube for beingcoupled with said transmission means in said casing through said firstconnector tube; and an electro mechanical transducer in said housingdriven by said adapter transmission and generating electric signalsrepresenting the rotary speed of said output shaft at a ratio dependingon said adapter transmission, and including electric output meanslocated in said third connector tube.

2. Arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing includes firstand second housing parts abutting each other in a dividing plane andincluding first and second walls substantially'parallel to said dividingplane, said first wall supporting said second connector tube in aposition perpendicular to said first wall, one of said housing partshaving an endless lateral wall including said lateral converging wallportions.

3. Arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said third connector tubeprojects at an other housing end portion from said lateral wall in adirection transverse to said second connector tube.

.4. Arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said third connector tubeperpendicularly projects from said second wall at an other housing endportion.

5. Arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said housing includes apartitioning wall forming first and second cavities with said first andsecond housing parts; wherein said transducer is located in said firstcavity; wherein said adapter transmission is located in said secondcavity and includes means passing through said partitioning wall fordriving said transducer; and wherein said housing includes meansmounting said transducer and said adapter transmission on saidpartitioning wall.

6. Housing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second housingpart is a flat cover.

7. Housing arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein said partitioningwall is substantially located in said dividing plane.

partitioning Housing arrangement for an apparatus transforming rotaryspeed into electric signals, comprising a supporting casing; a shaftrotatably mounted in said casing; and a housing including first andsecond housing parts abutting each other in a dividing plane, and havingfirst and second end walls substantially parallel with said dividingplane, said first housing part having a connector tube projecting fromsaid first end wall for attachment to said supporting casing, at leastsaid first housing part having an endless lateral wall adjacent saidfirst end wall and having wall portions disposed in planes tangential tosaid connector tube so as to facilitate attachment of said 1 housing tosaid casing, said housing including a partitioning wall forming firstand second cavities with said first and second housing parts; anelectromechanical transducer in said first cavity; an adaptertransmission in said second cavity for driving said electromechanicaltransducer; coupling means in said connector means coupled with saidshafts and connected with said transmission; said adapter transmissionand said electromechanical transducer being mounted on said partitioningwall, said adapter transmission including at least one transmissionshaft mounted at one end in said partitioning wall and having an otherfree end; a bearing member located within said second cavity andsupporting said free shaft end; and resilient means between said secondend wall and said bearing member.

9. Housing arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said resilientmeans includes a leaf spring mounted on said second housing partabutting said bearing member

1. Mounting arrangement for an apparatus transforming rotary speed intoelectric signals, comprising a supporting casing having wall meansforming a confined space and including a first connector tube in saidconfined space; transmission means including an output shaft and beingmounted in said casing for driving said output shaft at varying speeds;a housing having a housing end portion including a second connector tubeperpendicularly projecting from said housing and being detachablyconnected with said first connector tube for supporting at least saidhousing end portion in said confined space, said housing end portionconverging toward the respective end of said housing and including twolateral converging wall portions disposed in planes tangential to saidsecond connector tube on opposite sides of said second connector tube,and a curved wall end portion substantially matching the contour of saidsecond connector tube and connecting said lateral converging wallportions with each other, said housing including a third connector tube;and an adapter transmission in said housing incLuding an input shafthaving coupling means located in said second connector tube for beingcoupled with said transmission means in said casing through said firstconnector tube; and an electro mechanical transducer in said housingdriven by said adapter transmission and generating electric signalsrepresenting the rotary speed of said output shaft at a ratio dependingon said adapter transmission, and including electric output meanslocated in said third connector tube.
 2. Arrangement as claimed in claim1 wherein said housing includes first and second housing parts abuttingeach other in a dividing plane and including first and second wallssubstantially parallel to said dividing plane, said first wallsupporting said second connector tube in a position perpendicular tosaid first wall, one of said housing parts having an endless lateralwall including said lateral converging wall portions.
 3. Arrangement asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said third connector tube projects at another housing end portion from said lateral wall in a directiontransverse to said second connector tube.
 4. Arrangement as claimed inclaim 2 wherein said third connector tube perpendicularly projects fromsaid second wall at an other housing end portion.
 5. Arrangement asclaimed in claim 2 wherein said housing includes a partitioning wallforming first and second cavities with said first and second housingparts; wherein said transducer is located in said first cavity; whereinsaid adapter transmission is located in said second cavity and includesmeans passing through said partitioning wall for driving saidtransducer; and wherein said housing includes means mounting saidtransducer and said adapter transmission on said partitioning wall. 6.Housing arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second housingpart is a flat cover.
 7. Housing arrangement as claimed in claim 5wherein said partitioning wall is substantially located in said dividingplane. partitioning Housing arrangement for an apparatus transformingrotary speed into electric signals, comprising a supporting casing; ashaft rotatably mounted in said casing; and a housing including firstand second housing parts abutting each other in a dividing plane, andhaving first and second end walls substantially parallel with saiddividing plane, said first housing part having a connector tubeprojecting from said first end wall for attachment to said supportingcasing, at least said first housing part having an endless lateral walladjacent said first end wall and having wall portions disposed in planestangential to said connector tube so as to facilitate attachment of saidhousing to said casing, said housing including a partitioning wallforming first and second cavities with said first and second housingparts; an electromechanical transducer in said first cavity; an adaptertransmission in said second cavity for driving said electromechanicaltransducer; coupling means in said connector means coupled with saidshafts and connected with said transmission; said adapter transmissionand said electromechanical transducer being mounted on said partitioningwall, said adapter transmission including at least one transmissionshaft mounted at one end in said partitioning wall and having an otherfree end; a bearing member located within said second cavity andsupporting said free shaft end; and resilient means between said secondend wall and said bearing member.
 9. Housing arrangement as claimed inclaim 8 wherein said resilient means includes a leaf spring mounted onsaid second housing part abutting said bearing member.